Mitochondrial COX4I2 drives pericyte-dependent inflammation and emphysema
Claudia F. Garcia Castro, Vidya Srokshna Balasubramanian Lakshmi, Stefan Hadžić, Claudio Nardiello, Rolf David Glaser, Maik Hüttemann, Lawrence I. Grossman, Baktybek K. Kojonazarov, Muchen Li, Sandipan Jash, Janine Koepke, Marija Gredic, C Y Wu, Luca Giordano, Matthias Hecker, , Natascha Sommer
This study shows that COX4I2 in pericytes drives inflammation and emphysema in COPD by increasing mtROS, and its deletion protects against these effects.
bioRxiv · Feb 9, 2026 · PreprintCell Biology